A pyridoxal-phosphate protein. The enzyme, purified from the bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans NCIMB 8944, is strictly specific for the L-erythro stereoisomer of 3-hydroxyaspartate. Different from EC 4.1.3.41, erythro-3-hydroxy-D-aspartate aldolase. Requires a divalent cation.

Requires a divalent metal ion [3]. This enzyme participates in the degradation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (via the meta-cleavage pathway), phthalate, syringate and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate [1-3]. The enzyme from Pseudomonas straminea can also catalyse the activity of EC 4.1.3.16, 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate aldolase, and the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate [3].